Box Score ST. AUGUSTINE – Florida Tech had to hold off a Flagler College rally in the ninth inning to escape with an 8-5 win in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday night at Drysdale Field.

Florida Tech improved to 26-12 overall while Flagler dropped to 15-22.

The Panthers struck for a couple of early runs, scoring their first run on a sacrifice fly in the first inning and then getting a bases loaded walk in the second inning.

Jay Laurienzo hit a sacrifice fly of his own in the fourth inning to cut the deficit in half (2-1).

But Florida Tech answered with two more runs in the fifth, one scoring on a passed ball and the other scoring on a base hit by Alex Alfonso.

The Panthers increased the lead to 5-1 in the sixth and then scored three unearned runs in the seventh to take an 8-1 lead.

The Saints chipped away and got a run in the eighth when Andrew Brodbeck scored from second on Brett Moreland's infield single. The throw from shortstop was wild and allowed Brodbeck to score.

Trevor Berry, Florida Tech's fourth pitcher of the night, started the ninth and ran into trouble quickly. He walked the first two batters he faced and then gave up a base hit to Lee Hart to load the bases. Pinch hitter Frankie Sagarese drew a walk to force in one run and Brodbeck was hit in the shoulder with a pitch to score another run. The Panthers brought in closer James Mannara and he got Moreland to ground out, but another run crossed the plate and the Panther lead was trimmed to 8-5. But Mannara struck out the next two batters to record his eighth save of the season.

Michael Knott (1-0) tossed five innings, scattered five hits and allowed one run to earn the win for Florida Tech.

Alfonso led the Panthers at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a double, two runs batted in and two runs scored. Jimmie Koch singled twice and scored a run.

Chris Patrick (2-4) tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowed four hits, four runs and walked seven batters.

Brodbeck singled, doubled, scored a run and drove in another for the Saints. Moreland singled twice, scored a run and knocked another in. Nick Kranick singled twice.

Flagler will head out on the road on Thursday (April 11) at Rollins College for a 6 p.m. single game.

Florida Tech 8, Flagler 5 (Apr 09, 2013 at St. Augustine, Fla.)
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Florida Tech........ 110 021 300  -  8 12  1      (26-12)
Flagler............. 000 100 013  -  5 10  1      (15-22)
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Battery: Florida Tech - Michael Knott; Jerrod Leinhauser(6); Gerardo Dudamel(8); Trevor Berry(9); James Mannara(9) and Austin Allen. Flagler - Chris Patrick; Michael Hanke(5); Beau Beaudreau(6); Mike O'Reilly(8); Taylor Nelson(9) and Chace Mitchell.
Win-Michael Knott(1-0)  Save-James Mannara(8)  Loss-Chris Patrick(2-4)  T-3:12  A-58
2B FIT – Austin Allen; Alex Alfonso.
2B FLG – Andrew Brodbeck.
Weather: 78; ptly. cldy.; w:16mph swirl
Berry faced 5 batters in the 9th.